Machine for making fiber container parts



Nov. 7, 1944. J. M. HOTHERSALL ETAL.

- MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS Filed ec. 28, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1944. .1. M. HOTHERSALL ErAL MACIIINI'J FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS .10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28 1939 1 J. M. HOTHERSALL 17m. 2,361,942

MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS Filed Dec. 28, 1939 470 Sheets-Sheet 5 MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS Filed Dec. 28, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 7, 1944. J. M. HOTHERSALL ETAL ,3

I MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS I Filed Dec. 2a, 1939- 10' Sheets-Sh egt lN\ IENT L0. I A 0% Nov. 7, 1944.

J. M. HOTHERSALL ETAL MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS Filed Dec. 2 8, 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 J. M. HOTHE'RSALL ET AL 2,361,942 MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS I Nov; 7, 1944.

Filed Dec 28, 1939 1o Sheets-Sheet 9 Now 7, 1944- J. M. HOTHERSALL ETAL ,3 2 A MQCHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PARTS ATTO EY IIZXEN O fw Patented Nov. 7, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR/MAKING FIBER CONTAINER PAR John M. Hothersall, Brooklyn, N. Y., and John H. Murch, East Orange, N. J assignors to Ameri can Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 28, 1939, Serial No. 311,416

12 Claims.

In the manufacture of fiber containers of the character disclosed in United States patent 2,085,979, issued July 6, 1937, to John M. Hothersail, on Container. the top end membe of the container is provided with a closure element which is preferably secured in place with a staple so that the closure element may be opened and closed by bending it adjacent the staple in hinge fashion, The present invention contemplates the forming of such a closure element, assembling it with a pro-formed containe end member, and securing it in place with a wire staple to produce a complete end member ready for uniting with a container.

An object, therefore, of the invention is the provision of a fiber container end member forming and assembling machine wherein a fiber closure element is blanked and formed, assembled in proper position on a preformed end member, and

is secured in place by a wire staple to produce a complete unitary structure ready for assembling with a container.

Anothe object is the provision in such a machine of an improved die mechanism for progressively and accurately forming a closure element from a strip of fiber stock fed therethrough.

Another object is the provision in a machine of this character of improved strip feeding devices which accuratelyadvance the strip of fiber stock into the die mechanism in a step-by-step manner so that progressive forming" of the closure element is effected.

Another object is the provision, in such amachine, of devices for delivering a fully formed closure element from the die mechanism and for bringing it into assembled position with a preformed container end member ready for the wire staple which secures them together.

Numerous other objects and advantages'of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

' Referring to the drawings;

, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is. a fragmentary: rear elevation of the machineiniFig. 1:

Fig.v 3 is aside elevation of the machine as viewed from the right side of Fig. 1;

Fig.1 is an enlarged horizontal section taken 50 At the proper time after the substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sections taken substantially along the respective lines -5, 5-6

5 and 1-1 in Fig. 4, with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the broken line 8-3 in Fig. 7, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken substan- 10 tially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 5 and broken back to a lower level in places;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line Ill-i0 in Fig. 4, with parts broken away;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged top plan view of certain dies shown in the upper central portion of Fig. '1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is a sectional'view taken substantially along the line l2--l2 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged schematic view showing the feeding and assembly relations of the container parts being worked upon in the machine;

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional details taken substantially along the respective lines 14-44,

l5-l5 in Fig. 4 with parts broken away;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 6 and showing the movable parts in a. different position;

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged detail view of the closure element retaining head shown in Fig. 16, with parts broken back and shown in section, and with a closure element in place;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line |8-l8 in Fig. 1'7, and showing a closure element in place; and

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram of the electric apparatus used in the machme.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a machine in which a fiber closure element A (Fig. 13) having a depressed plug B is formed and cut from a narrow strip C of paper board or other fibrous material which is fed through the machine in a step-by-step movement. While the closure element A. is being formed a preformed container end member D having a dispensing hole E adapted to receive theclosure element, is fed from a stack of such members into assembling position adjacent the moving strip.

closure element A has been fully formed and severed from the strip C, it is shifted into'place over the container end member in a predetermined position with its plug B in alignment with the member dispensing hole E. While in this position the jacent the ratchet wheel.

. The lower closure element is assembled with the end member by being forced down onto the latter, the closure element plug B being pushed into the dispensing opening E of the end member and thus held tightly in position by frictional engagement.

Thereafter the assembled closure element and end member are further advanced along a predetermined path of travel as a unit. During this latter advancement they are permanentl se; cured together bythe insertion of a wire staple F. This completes the assembling operations and the end members thus produced are restacked ready for use,

The portion of the machine which forms the closure element A from the strip C of paper stock is substantially a conventional punch press unit provided with a paper feeding device. This portlon of the machine will be described and explained first.

The frame of the machine includes an upright press frame 2| (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) having a slideway 22 formed On the front face thereof which carries a verticall adjustable and overhanging main casing 23. This casing is supported on an adjusting screw 24 which is adapted to be rotated to elevate the casing relative to the press frame so that working parts on the top of the casing may be brought into proper positlon relative to other workin parts arranged on the press frame. Locking nuts 25 are provided on the screw for looking it against mo ement after an adjustment has been made. The entire frame unit is supported on a base plate 25.

The paper strip C enters the punch press portion of the machine from any suitable source of supply by way of a guideway 3| which keeps the strip traveling along a predetermined straight line path of travel. This guideway is formed on a bracket 32 which is secured to the top of the main casing 23 adjacent one side thereof. A cover plate 33 is secured to the top of the guideway to prevent displacement of the strip C passing therethrough.

The guided strip C is fed into the machine in a step-by-step movement by an upper or pressure roller 35 (Figs. 1, 2. 4 and and a lower or feeding roller 36, the two rollers being mounted one above the other with the strip passing between them. The feeding roller 36 is mounted on a short horizontal shaft 31 which is carried in suitable bearings formed in a bracket 38 bolted to the top of the main casing 23.

On its outer end the roller shaft 31 carries a brake drum 4| over which a conventional brake band 42 is disposed to function as a drag on the feed roller. The brake prevents overfeeding of the strip. One end of the brake band is secured to a block 43 carried on a pivot stud 44 threaded in the roller bracket. The other end is secured to a bolt carried in the block and held under tension of a compression spring 45 to keep the brake band taut.

The inner end of the feeding roller shaft 31 carries a ratchet wheel 41 (Figs. 2 and 4). This ratchet wheel is engaged by a pawl 48 carried 1 on an arm 49 loosely mounted on the shaft ad- The arm is connected to the upper end of a cam lever 52. end of the cam lever is mounted on a pivot pin 53 carried in a lug 54 bracket 55. The bracket is bolted to a rear face of the main casing 23. Intermediate its length the cam lever 52 carries a cam roller 51 which by a link 5| formed on a .shaft 68 which constitutes the main driving shaft of the machine.

The crank shaft 88 is journaled in a pair of spaced bearings 69 formed in the upper end of the upright press frame 2|. This shaft is rotated from any suitable source of power preferably applied to a fly-wheel H carried on the shaft. The crank shaft also actuates a reciprocating die head 12 which moves in a vertical slideway '13 formed on the front face of the upper press frame 2 I.

On each upward stroke of the die head 12 the rotating paper feed cam 59 actuates the ratchet arm 49 and its associated pawl 48 and ratchet wheel 41, to partially rotate the feed roller 36 and thereby advance the paper strip C a predetermined distance. The upper or pressure roller 35 cooperates in this feeding action.

The pressure roller 35 is mounted on a short shaft 15 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5) carried in bearings 16 formed on a pair of spaced and parallel horizontal arms 11 of a bell crank 18. The bell crank is mounted on a shaft 19 carried in bearings 8i formed in the roller bracket 38.

The pressure roller 35 is rotated in unison with the feed roller 36 by means of a pair. of meshing spur gears 84, (Fig. 2) to bring about the advancement of the strip C. Gear 84 is mounted on the feed roller shaft 31 while gear 85 is mounted on the pressure roller shaft 15.

A pair of com ression springs 81 forces the pressure roller 35 down on the paper strip C and holds it in feeding contact with the feeding roller 36. These springs are located on top of the bell crank arms 17 and are coiled around a pair of long bolts 88 (Figs. 4 and 5) which extend down through the arms. The lower ends of the bolts are secured in the base of the roller bracket 38. At their upper ends the bolts carry lock nuts 89 which hold the springs in place and which are used to adjust the amount of pressure desired on the roller.

After a. strip feeding operation the pressure roller 35 is lifted out of contact with the paper strip C to permit the strip to come to rest. This rest period of the strip is timed with the downward stroke of the die head 12. For this purpose the die head is formed with a cam lug 93 (Figs. 1 and 5) which on the downward stroke of the head, engages against and shifts a cam roller 94 mounted on a depending lever 95 carried on a pivot stud 96 secured in the face of the press frame 2|. The lower end of the lever 95 is connected by an adjustable link 91 to an upright arm 98 of the pressure roller bell crank 18.

Thus the engagement of the cam roller 94 rocks th lever 95 and the bell crank and hence lifts the pressure roller. A handle 99 is also provided on the upper end of the crank arm 98 so that the pressure roller may be manually lifted at any time to stop feeding of the strip as is somtimes necessary in case of an emergency.

The paper strip C thus fed into the machine in a step-by-step movement in time with'the movement of the die head 12, enters a die mechanism IOI (Figs. 4, 6, 11 and 12) which forms and'cuts from the strip the closure element A hereinbefore strip is perforated to form a hole G. This hole is included in what will be a tab portion H of the finished closure elements The strip is then advanced one step and at this next station an irregular opening J iscut into the strip adjacent the hole G. Curved lines of severance K in the outline of this opening define the outer edges of portions of the element A. a

The strip is next advanced another step and the depressed plug B is here formed in the strip C by drawing the stock located between two of the openings J. It isfor this drawing operation that the openings J are first formed in the strip. The openings relieve the tension in the stock and permit the latter to draw in while the plug is being formed and thereby prevent breaking or tearing of the paper.

After the plug is drawn the strip is advanced another step and the element is here completed.

by punching it out of the strip, this punching operation cuttingthe strip along lines of severance L and M. In order to prevent long tails of scrap paper from projecting out of the die mechanism the scrap indicated by the letter N is cut off along lines of severance O at each stroke of the die mechanism.

Only one die mechanism is used to effect these different operations and on each stroke of the press head all the operations are performed but in adjacent portions of the strip C. Hence as the strip is advanced at each stroke of the press head, the difierent operating parts cooperate to produce the closure element in a progressive or step-by-step manner.

The die mechanism IOI (Figs. 4, 6, 11 and 12) for performing these closure element producing steps will nowbe described. This mechanism comprises two sections, a lower stationary die section having parts mounted in a die block I02 which is carried on the housing 23, and an upper movable punch seetion having parts mounted on. a punch block I03 secured in the die head 12 and operated by the press crank shaft 00. The punch block I03 is formed with a stern-I which fits in the die head. Pilot pins I01 maintain the punchparts in alignment with the die parts. These pilot pins are secured in the die block I02 and extend up through bearings I08 formed in the punch block I03.

Punching of the hole G in the strip C is effected by around punch III (Fig. 12) which is carried in a punch plate I I2 bolted to the bottom of the punch block I03. When the punch moves down into the die section, the punch III' extendsthrough a hole .I I3 in a stripper plate I I4 and into a cutting die 5 carried'in'a di plate H6 secured in a recess H1 in the die block I02. The stripper plate. I I4 is secured to the top of the die plate in spaced relation thereto.. The strip C to be operated upon is fed into the die mechanism between the stripper plate and the die plate as shown in Fig. 12. The cut-out portion of the strip falls through a hole H8 formed in the die block I02.

The irregular opening J is cut in the strip (J by a punch I2I which'is carried in the punch plate II2. lower end of this punch I2I moves down through an opening I23 formed in the stripper. plate H4 and for the cutting operation enters into a die recess I24 formed in the die plate H0. The punched out or scrap portion of the strip falls through the die recess I24 and through a communicating recess I25 iormed in the block I02.

Forming of the depressed plug section B in the strip C is preferably done with a drawing punch I28 which is also carried in the punch plate H2. The drawing punch is surrounded by a yieldable holding pad I29 which is backed up by a pair of compression springs I3I interposed between the punch plate and the holding pad. These two springs are seated in sockets I32 formed in the holding pads and extend up through holes I33 in the punch plate and thence seat in sockets I34 formed in the punch block I03. The holding pad is loosely retained in position by a pair of cap screws I35 which extend through both the punch block and the punch plate and are threaded into the holding plate.

The drawing punch I28 cooperates with a drawing die I31 secured in place adjacent the die plate H0 in the die'block recess III. The drawing die is 'provided with a yieldable anvil I30 which is backed-up by a compression spring I4I seated in a socket I42 formed in the anvil.

The strip C is properly located for the plug drawing operation by a pilot pin I45 which is located adjacent the holding pad I29. I The pilot pin is carried in the punch plate H2,

Hence when the punch moves down the pilot pin extends through a hole I46 formed in the stripper plate I I4 and projects through the hole G in the strip C which is adjacent the partially formed closure element in which the plug is now to be drawn. The pin further extends into a locating hole I41 formed in the die plate H6 and thus properly locates the strip for the plug drawing operation.

At the beginning of the downward travel of the punch block I03, the holding pad I23, which under the action of the springs IN is in ad- Vance of the block, engages against the strip C and holds it firmly. The drawing punch I23 following down next comes onto the strip C and presses it down into the drawing die I31 against the resistance of the yieldable anvil I39. The

anvil yields during this drawing action and the paper stock of the strip C around the drawn section slips from under the spring-held holding pad to produce the plug B.

When the punch moves down, the I The severing of the strip along the lines L, M,

.is preferably done by a cutting punch I5I which is carried in the punch plate H2. The cutting punch is formed with a cylindrical button I52 (see also Fig. 6) on its lower end for entering into the plug B of the closure element to locate the latter for cutting from the strip.

The punch is also formed with a projection I53,

which enters the hole G and thus aids in locating the closure element. In this operation the cutting punch I5I cooperates with a cutting die I54 which is located adjacent the drawing die I31 in the die block recess 1. A stripper plate I55 covers this cutting die and is secured to the die block I02 in spaced relation to the die.

Hence when the punch moves down, the cut- :ting punch I5I moves through an opening I51 in the stripper plate I 55 and cuts through the paper strip as it enters into the cutting die I54.

. The punch in its further descent, pushes the now out out and fully formed closure element A down through the die I54 and deposits it onto a transfer slide IGI. Slide ISI thereupon dis- ,formed in the main casing 23.

charges the finished closure element from the die mechanism but this will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The scrap portions N of the strip C in advance of the drawing station, are cut off by a knife I63 which is carried in the punch plate H2. The knife moves down with the punch block I03 and shears the scrap strip against a stationary shearing block I64 which is secured in a recess I65 formed in the die block I02. Adjacent this recess the die block is formed with an opening I66 through which the cut off scrap falls to any suitable place of deposit.

The machine parts associated with the discharging of the completed closure element A from the die mechanism will now be described. The closure element transfer slide I6I is located in a slideway III (see also Fig. 6) formed in the die block I02 and directly under the cutting die I54. The slide is formed with a seat I12 for the reception of the depressed plug B of the closure element. The slideis also formed with a clearance hole I'I3 for the cutting punch locating projection I53. The slide extends back through a guide block I14 (Figs. 6 and 11) which is bolted to the die block I02. A screw- I16 secures the slide to a slide block I" carried in guideways I'IB formed in the main casing 23.

The slide block I I1 is shifted transversely of the machine in time with the reciprocation of the press head 12. For this purpose the member is formed with a depending lug I 8I (Fig. 6) which extends down through an opening I82 in the casing 23. The lug is connected by a link I83 to the upper end of an upright'arm I84 mounted on a stationary pivot shaft 1185 carried in a pair of spaced bearing lugs I86, I81 (see also Figs. '7 and 9) formed on web sections I88 of the casing 23.

The upright arm I84 is formed with a bridge member I! (Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) which extends across the bearing lug I86 and merges into a cam lever I92. The upright arm I84, the bridge member I9I, and the cam lever I92 are all formed as an integral part supported on the pivot shaft I95. The free end of the cam lever carries a cam roller I94 which operates in a cam groove I95 of a face cam I96 mounted on and keyed to a cam shaft I91 which is journaled in bearings I98 The cam shaft extends outside of the casing 23 and carries a sprocket 20I (see Fig. 4). The sprocket is rotated by a chain 202 which is driven by a sprocket 203 (see Figs. 1 and 2) carried on the continuously rotating cam shaft 6 I.

Hence the rotating cam I96 rocks the cam lever I92 and the upright arm I84 and thus shifts the transfer slide I6I in time with the other moving parts of the machine. On a downward stroke of the press head 12, the transfer slide is in a backward position relative to the die mechanism I III, as shown in Fig. 6. The slide remains in this position until it receives a closure element A as hereinbefore described and then on the up-stroke of the press head the slide moves out of the die mechanism (toward the left in Fig. 6) and into the forward position shown in Fig. 16.

In moving into this extended position the forward end of the transfer slide I6I which carries the closure element A enters a holding cage 2 (Figs. 16, 17 and 18) which grips the closure element and thus permits the slide to return empty to its original backward position within the die springs 2I6 secured to the cage extend down against the backs of the fingers and press them inwardly into gripping engagement with the edges of the closure element.

Provision is made for positively preventing the return of the closure element A with the transfer slide I6I when the latter moves back into the die mechanism. This is brought about by a pawl 22I having a hook end which engages in the hole G of the closure element and thus holds the element against return movement. The pawl is mounted on a pivot pin 222 secured in a block 223 which is bolted in the cage 2| I. A compression spring 224 interposed between the block and the pawl holds the latter in closure element engaging position, as best shown in Fig. 16.

The transferred closure element A thus held within its cage 2 is now ready for assembling with the container end member D, hereinbefore mentioned. The cage is located above the path of travel of the container end member and is supported by parts of the machine which advance the container end member into position adjacent the suspended closure element. Accordingly an explanation of the cage supporting parts will be omitted for the time being and the description will proceed with the advancement of the container end member into assembling position.'

The container end members D are preferably retained in a vertical stack within a magazine 2311 which is defined by four vertically disposed guide bars 23I (Figs. 4, 14 and 15) arranged one adjacent each of the four outer edges of the stacked end members. The lower ends of the magazine bars are secured in a top plate 232. This top plate is supported on a pair of spaced slide guides 233 and the entire unit of plate and guides is secured by bolts 234 to the top of the main casing 23.

The container end members D are individually picked off from the bottom of the stack and fed forward. For this purpose the bottom of the stack of end members extends down through an opening 231 in the top plate 232 and is supported on a reciprocating feed slide 238 which slides between the top plate and the top of the main casing 23. The slide guides 233 hereinbefore mentioned guide the slide along a straight line path of travel. The upper surface of the slide 238 is formed with a raised step 239 which is substantially equal in height to the thickness of one end member D.

Hence when the feed slide is moved on a forward stroke (toward the right as viewed in Fig. 14) the step 239 in the slide engages behind the lowermost end member D in the stack and pushes it out from under the other end members and thus carries it along with the slide. During this feeding operation the higher level of the step portion of the slide moves under the stack and supports it. On the return stroke of the slide (toward the left as viewed in Fig. 14) the step portion of the slide moves from under the stack of end members and thereby permits them to fall to the lower level of the slide. In this position they are ready for another feeding operationwhen the slide again moves forward.

Reciprocation of the feed slide 238 is prefer- I is located at the middle of the slide lug and carries one end of a link 249. The opposite end of the link is connected to a curved arm 252 (see also Figs. and 9) of a bell crank lever 253.

The bell crank lever is mounted on a pivot screw 254 which is secured in a depending boss 255 formed on the casing top wall. The bell crank lever 253 also has a cam arm 251 which at its outer end carries a cam roller 258. The roller operates in a cam groove 26l formed in a barrel cam 262 keyed on the main cam shaft I91 (see also Fig. 7).

A container end member D fed from the magazine 230 by the feed slide 238 is carried by the latter into position in a pocket 21I of a rotatable horizontal turret 22 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6). There are a plurality of these pockets spaced around the outer edge of the turret and each pocket in turn is brought into alignment with the slide 238 to receive an end member D.

Each pocket 2" is formed with a floor 213 which supports the received end member in a horizontal position. The floor is formed with a clearance slot 214 into which the slide extends while placing the end member in itspocket. The floor is' also provided with a plurality of holes 215, 216, 211 arranged as best shown in Fig. 9. The use of these holes will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The turret 212 rests on top of the main casing 23, partially within a curved seat 219 (Figs. 4- and 5) which extends around one side of the turret. The turret is mounted on a shouldered vertical sleeve 28I carried in a bearing 282 which depends from the bottom of the main casing top wall. The sleeve is retained in vertical position by a collar 284which is threaded onto the upper end of the sleeve and which rests on top of the turret.

The turret 212 is rotated in a step-by-step movement by at Geneva or cam-indexing device so as to bring the turret pockets individually into register with the container and member feed slide 238 for the reception of an end member as hereinbefore explained. The cam-indexing device includes a Geneva wheel or disc 29I (Figs. 5,5 and 9) which is carried on the lower end of the turret sleeve 28I. The disc is locked in place by a pair of lock nuts 292 which are threaded on a the lower end of the turret sleeve.

The Geneva wheel or disc 29I carries a plurality of spaced cam rollers 293 arranged in a circle adjacent the outer edge of the disc. There is one cam roller for each turret pocket. These cam rollers are engaged successivelyin a cam groove 294 of a barrel cam 205 (see also Fig. 7) keyed on the main cam shaft I91. A pair of lock nuts 295 threaded on spacer collars 291 carried on the cam shaft on either side of the cam provide for adjusting the cam position along the shaft; if such adjustment becomes necessary to properly locate the cam groove relative to the indexing rollers.

As the cam rotates with its shaft, the cam groove engages the adjacent cam roller 293 on; the Geneva disc 29I and swings the roller through.

an are for a predetermined number of degrees of rotation-of the Geneva wheel or disc which is thereby moved. The roller thenmoves out of the cam groove. This advancement of the roller and the partial rotation of the indexing disc corresponds to a step rotation equal to the space between two adjacent turret pockets 21I. Thus one pocket moves away from. the feed slide 238 while the next one is brought into alignment with it. It is during the interval between these movements, that is at the rest period ofthb turret, that the feed slide 238 inserts a container end member D into a turret pocket.

After each such indexing or partial rotation of the turret 212, it is positively locked against movement so that the turret pockets are then temporarily maintained in predetermined positions relative to the other working parts of the machine. This locking is brought about by a vertically movable locking or pilot pin 30I (Fig. 5) which moves down into bushings 302; 303, respectively located in the turret 212 and in the top wallof the main casing 23. There are a plurality of the bushings 302 (see also Fig. 9), one for each turret pocket 2H and they individually come into register with the single bushing 303 in-the main casing after each stepped rotation of the turret. It is when a turret bushing 302 registers with the casing bushing 303 that the locking pin enters them and thereby temporarily locks the turret against rotation.

The locking pin 30I is secured at its upper end to a movable horizontal carrier plate 305 located above the turret 212 in. spaced relation thereto. The carrier plate is bolted to the upper shouldered end of a vertical rod 306. This rod extends down through the turret sleeve 28L The plate is vertically supported on a compression spring 301 which is interposed between the plate and the turret sleeve lock nut 284. The spring is coiled around a hub 303 which depends from the bottom of the plate.

Vertical movement of the carrier plate 305 and the turret locking pin 30I carried thereon is effected by cam action in time with the other moving parts of the machine. This cam action is transmitted through a vertical link 3 (Figs. 5 and 6) which at its upper end is connected to the lower end ofthe plate rod 306. The lower end of the link is connected'to a long arm 3I2 of an Heshaped cam 'lever 3I3 (see also Fig. '7)

The cam lever 3l3 is formed with a pair of spaced bearings 3I5 which are mounted on the stationary shaft I and these straddle the shaft I bearing I81. The cam lever is also formed with a short arm 3I6 which is substantially parallel with the long arm 3I2 in spaced relation thereto. At its outer end the short arm carries a cam roller 3". This roller operates in a cam groove 3I8 formed in a face cam 3I9 carried on'the main cam shaft I91,

The carrier plate 305 does not rotate. For the purpose of positively preventing rotation, the plate carries a couplin 325 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is threaded on the upper end of a shouldered slide bar 325 on which the closure element retaining cage 2| I is supported. The slide bar is carried in a boss 321 formed on the plate. The coupling 325 is formed with a threaded vertical shank 328 which extends up into a boss 329. The boss is bolted to the face of the press die head 12,

Since the carrier plate 305 moves verticallyin time with the-press die head 12 such a connection not only does not interfere with proper working of the machine parts but provides for the necessary movement. LA lock nut 33l on the 'upper end of the coupling shank holds the coupling in place in the die head boss 329.

Provision is made for stopping the machine when no container end member D is fed into place in its turret pocket 2. This prevents jamming of the machine at subsequent stations. Such provision is electrical in its action and includes a vertically disposed detector pin 335 (Fig. 5) which is carried in an insulated holder 336 secured in the carrier plate 305. Inside the holder the pin isformed with a head 331 which prevents the pin from falling out. The head is backed up by a compression spring 338 which presses against an electric terminal screw 339 threaded into the holder. The screw is connected by a wire 34! to a grounded electric circuit which will be hereinafter explained.

Hence when the plate 305 moves down to lock the turret 212 into end member receiving position, the detector pin holder and parts housed therein also move down. It is immediately after a feeding movement of the end member feed slide 238, that the descending detector pin reaches its lowered position adjacent the turret pocket. If an end member D has been fed and is in proper place in the turret pocket, the detector pin strikes against the end member and comes to rest while the sprin 338 compresses to allow the plate 305 to move down into its lowermost position. Such an action. which shows that the end member is in place, is utilized so that the machine continues to operate as will be further explained.

When there is no end member D in its turret pocket, the descending detector pin 335 is not stopped as just described but continues down through the hole 215 in the floor of the turret 212 and engages against the top wall of the main casing 23. Since the pin is a part of an electrical circuit, this short circuits the electric energy passing through the various circuits of the machine and thereby the machine ceases operation. These electrical circuits will now be explained.

Reference should be had to the wiring diagram in Fig, 19. In this diagram there are indicated two separate circuits, a motor circuit X and a detector circuit Y. The motor circuit X includes a suitable source of electric energy such as a generator 3 18 which is connected by a wire 349 to an electric motor 350. The motor is preferably the main source of power for operating the ma chine. The motor is connected by a wire 35] to a service or starting switch 352. This service switch is also connected by a. wire 353 to a normally open relay switch 354 adapted when closed to make contact with a wire 355 which returns to the generator.

The relay switch 354 includes a solenoid 36f which forms a part of the detector circuit Y. One side of the solenoid is grounded to the frame of the machine. The other side of the solenoid is connected by a wire 362 to a source of electric energy such as an auxiliary generator 363. The generator is also grounded to the frame of the machine. The detector pin wire 3 is connected into the solenoid wire 362.

Electric energy passing through the detector circuit Y energizes the relay solenoid 361 and thereby keeps the relay switch 354 closed. Thus when the motor start switch 352 is closed the motor circuit X is complete and energy from the generator 348 passing along this circuit excites the motor 350 and thereby keeps the machine in operation.

However, when no end member D is fed into the turret 212 and the detector pin 335 makes contact with the machine frame, the energy from p the auxiliary generator 363 is instantly shunted Fig. 4, and is then brought into place at the assembling station where it is below the closure element cage 2 hereinbefore mentioned. In this position the hole E in the end member is in vertical alignment with the depressed plug B of the closure element A retained in the cage 2 I l.

The cage 2! I (Fig. 6) is supported on the lower end of the shouldered slide bar or plunger 326 carried in the vertically movable carrier plate 305. The cage is prevented from turning on this bar by a key 368 which is formed on the lower end of the slide bar and which operates in a slot 369 formed in the cage. At times the cage is adapted to slide up on the bar 326 but is normally held down against the key 368 by a compression spring 31! which is coiled around the bar between the plate boss 321 and the cage 2| I.

On the bottom end of the slide bar 326, there is a boss 313 which is adapted to fit Within the plug B of the closure element A. Inside this boss there is a stripper plug 314 which is backed up by a compression spring 315 located in a recess 316 formed in the bar. The stripper plug is carried on the lower end of a rod 311 which extends up through the slide bar and which is provided with a lock nut 318 on its upper end. This limits the travel of the stripper plug.

When the turret 212 brings an end member D into position in alignment with the suspended 305 compresses the spring 31l against the cageand also moves the slide bar 326 down within the cage. During this downward movement the stripper plug 314 engages against the plug B of the closure element A and thereupon the descending slide bar moves its recess 316 down along the plug. The boss 313 on the end of the slide bar engages within the plug B of the closure element and thereby forces the element out of the notched fingers 2I2 of the cage 2 and pushes it down against the end member D with its plug B inserted within the hole E of the end member. The hole 216 in the floor of the turret pocket permits this and thereby prevents its rising with the slide bar. The cage 2| I also temporarily remains in engagement with the -end member D long enough to prevent its displacement. As the plate 305 continues to rise, however, the slide bar is completely cleared of the closure element and at this time the stripper plug and the cage release their hold on the container parts and thus'leave them in assembled position within the turret pocket.

The turret 212 is again unlocked for rotation as soon as the cage parts are clear of the turret and the turret is thereby rotated through another step. This partialrotation brings the assembled closure element A and end member D to a stitching station where the wire staple F, hereinbefore mentioned, is driven through the assembled container parts to secure them together into a unitary structure.

The stitching is eifected by a stitching head 38l (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5) of the character disclosed in United States Patent 1,983,384, issued December 4, 1934, to Harry T. McClure on Wire stitching machine, and United States Patent 2,034,408, issued March 11, 1936, to the same inventor, on Machine for fastening covers to containers.

Such a stitching head is bolted to a stationary bracket 382 disposed adjacent the path of travel of the turret 212. The bracket is secured to the top of the main casing 23. The stitcher device extends into a slot 383 formed in the vertically movable carrier plate 305 and its moving parts are connected to the plate by means of a link.

Hence as the plate 305 moves up and down to perform the other operations at previous stations hereinbefore explained, also operates the stitching device at this station to insert the staple F into place and clinch it over on the under side of the secured container parts. This stitching operation is doneon the down stroke of the plate.

Briefly described, the stitching devices receive a strand of wire 305 from a supply spool 306 which is carried on a spindle 381 secured to the stitcher bracket 382. In the stitching device this strand of wire is cut into predetermined short lengths, bent into a U-shaped staple, pushed through the container parts in the turret pocket 21! and clinched over to. hold the staple in place. Such a stapling or stitching operation completes the making of the container top.

The completed container top member temporarily remains in its turret pocket 21l while the turret rotates through three idle stations. At the last station, adjacent the feed-in station, the completed container top members are discharged from the turret pocket and arere-stacked into a discharge magazine 39! (Fig. 4). This magazine" is similar to the feed-in magazine 230 and is located adjacent thereto.

Dischargingthe completed container top member from the turret is preferably done by raising it vertically from the turret pocket 21!. This is effected by a plurality of vertically movable pins 392 (Figs. 6 and 10) which move up through the holes 211 in the floor 213 of the turret pocket when the turret is brought to rest at the discharge station. There are preferably three of these pins 392.

. The pins 392 are secured to a square pad 394 located within a square guiding recess 395 formed in a boss 390which depends from thebottom of the main casing top wall. The defining side walls of the recess prevent the pad from rotating. The pad is secured to the upper end of a rod 391 which slides vertically in a bore 398 formed in the boss.

The lower end of the rod 301 is connected by a link 390 to a horizontal arm 400 (see also Figs. 5 and 7) of a cam lever 40L The cam lever is mountedon a shaft 402 carried inbearings 403 formed in the main casing 23. The lever is also formed with a substantially vertical cam arm 405 which on its upper end carries a cam roller 400. The roller operates on an edge cam 401 which is mounted on the main camshaft 191 and is secured to the side of the barrel cam 262.

.A coiled tension spring 400 (Fig. 6) maintains the cam roller in engagement with its edge cam. One end ofthe spring is hooked into a hole 409 formed in the outer end of the arm 400. The other end of the spring is hooked over a pin 4 which is secured in the boss 396.

When a completed container end member is lifted out of its turret pocket 21.! by the discharge pins 392, they raise it up into the bottom end of the discharge magazine 39l which is located directly over the pins. The rising pins push the end member up past a pair of yieldable holding fingers 415 (Fig. 10) which support the stack of end members when the pins return to their lowered position below the turret. These holding fingers are located on two opposite sides of the stack of end members.

Each holding finger M5 at its upper end is mounted on a short pivot pin M6 carried in a bracket 441 secured to the magazine plate 232. The lower ends of the fingers are notched out to provide holding ledges M9 on which the stack of end members are supported. These notched ends extend down into an opening I in the magazine plate 232. Intermediate the length oi the holding fingers they are backed up by compressionspring barrels 422 located in suitable sockets formed in the brackets 1.

Thus as each completed container end member is pushed up past the ledges 4l0 of the holding fingers M5, the stack increases in vertical height. Guide bars 425 disposed adjacent each of the four sides of the stack, retain each end member as it moves up with each addition to the stack. These guide bars are secured in the magazine plate 202 around the opening 42L When a stack is nearing its maximum capacity the end members are manually removed from the top of the magazine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages (will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from,the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of means for feeding a strip of fiber stock along a predetermined path of travel, die mechanism adjacent said path of travel for forming an auxiliary container part from said strip, said auxiliary part including a die drawn plug section, devices for advancing a preformed cooperating container part having an aperture therein into position adjacent said formed auxiliary container part, means forbringing said parts into assembled position and ior inserting the plug section of said auxiliary part into the aperture or said cooperating part, and instrumentalities for securing the assembled parts together to provide a unitary structure.

2.,In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a die mechanism for forming a closure element from a strip of fiber stock, devices for advancing a preformed container end member to an assembly station into position to be assembled with said formed closure element, means for shifting said formed closure element laterally into superposed position relative to said container end member at said assembly station, and instrumentalities for securing the assembled parts together to provide a unitary structure.

3. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of means for feeding a strip of fiber stock along a predetermined path of travel, a die mechanismv disposed adjacent said path of travel for forming a container closure element from said strip, said closure element including a die drawn plug section, devices for advancing a preformed container end member having an aperture therein along another predetermined path of travel, elements for transferring the formed closure element from its path of travel into the path of travel of said end member, means for assembling the closure element with the end member, said assembling means including a reciprocating plunger for engaging and projecting the drawn plug section of said closure element into the preformed aperture of said container end member, and instrumentalities for securing the assembled parts together to provide a unitary structure.

4. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a die mechanism for forming a closure element having a drawn plug section from a strip of fiber stock, devices for feeding into positionadjacent said formed closure element a preformed container end member hav- ,ing a dispensing opening, means for laterally shifting said closure element from its position when formed into superposed relation to said container end member, means for assembling the closure element with the end member by inserting the drawn plug section of the closure element into the dispensing opening of the end member, and instrumentalities for stitching the closure element fast to the end member to provide a unitary container part structure.

5. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a die mechanism for forming closure elements from a strip of fiber stock, each of said closure elements including a die drawn plug section, a magazine adjacent said die mechanism for retaining a supply of container end members each having a preformed aperture adapted to receive the plug section of a said closure element, feeding devices adjacent said magazine for feeding individual end members therefrom, a rotatable turret also adjacent said die mechanism and having spaced pockets for the reception of a fed end member and for carrying a received end member along a curved path .of travel relative to said die mechanism, means for assembling a said closure element with a said end member while the latter is in a said turret pocket, said assembling means including a reciprocating plunger for engaging and projecting the drawn plug section of a said closure element into the preformed aperture of a said container end member, and instrumentalities for securing the assembled parts togetherwith a wire staple while in said turret to provide a unitary container part.

6. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a. die mechanism for forming closure elements from a strip of fiber stock, each of said closure elements including a die drawn plug section, a rotatable turret adjacent said die mechanism and having spaced pockets respectively for carrying a plurality of container end members along a curved path of travel relative to said die mechanism, each of said end members having a preformed aperture disposed therein, means for bringing a said closure element into assembled position with a said end member while the latter is in a said turret pocket, instrumentalities for securing the assembled parts together while in said turret to provide a unitary container part, said securing means including a vertically reciprocating plunger for engaging and projecting the drawn plug section of a said closure element into the preformed aperture of a said container end member, devices for discharging the completed container parts from the turret pockets, and a discharge magazine adjacent the path of travel of said turret pockets .for receiving the discharged container parts and for retaining them in a stack.

7. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a mechanism for forming closure elements from a strip of fiber stock, an intermittently rotatable turret located adjacent said forming mechanism and having a plu rality of spaced pockets adjacent its outer edge, means for introducing preformed container end members individually into said turret pockets at the intervals between the intermittent rotations of said turret, detector devices disposed in the path of movement of said turret and having means for moving said devices into and out of successively positioned turret pockets for engagement with a container end therein, said detector devices being operative for stopping the machine when no end member is present and engaged thereby in a turret pocket, and means for assembling a formed closure element with an end member when such an end member is fed into a turret pocket.

8. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a mechanism for forming closure elements from a strip of fiber stock, a turret intermittently rotatable through a plurality of working stations located adjacent said forming mechanism and having a plurality of spaced pockets adjacent its outer edge for carrying container end members along a predetermined path of travel, a vertically movable non-rotatable carrier plate disposed adjacent said turret, a detector device on said carrier platefor entering a turret pocket and for stopping the machine when no end member is in said pocket, a retaining cage also on said carrier plate for receiving a formed closure element from said forming mechanism and for assembling it with an end member while in a turret pocket at another of said stations, a stitcher head located adjacent said turret at yet another station and operably connected with said carrier plate for securing the assembled container parts together, a locking pin also carried on said carrier plate for locking the turret against movement between rotations, and actuating means for vertically moving said carrier plate in time with the pauses between intermittent rotations of said turret to simultaneously effect the various operations at said stations.

9. In a machine for making fiber container for receiving the delivered container part from said transfer devices, elements in said retaining cage for frictionally holding the container part to prevent its return with the transfer devicer means for shifting said retaining cage and tn. container part therein into position adjacent a other container part, and assembling devices 1 pushing the retained container part out of its cage and into assembled position withrespect to said other container part.

10. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a die mechanism for progressively forming a container part from a strip of fiber stock passed therethrough, transfer devices in said die mechanism for receiving a fully formed container part from the die mechanism, a retaining cage disposed adjacent said die mechanism for receiving the delivered container part from said transfer devices, elements in said retaining cage for frictionally holding the container part to prevent its return with the transfer devices, means for shifting said retaining cage and the container part therein into position adjacent another container part, assembling devices for pushing the containerparts out of its cage and into the second container part, and stripper elements in said assembling devices for holding the assembled container parts against return with the retaining cage when it moves back into its origi nal position.

11; In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a die mechanism for progressively forming a closure element from a strip of fiber stock passed therethrough, a rotatable turret for carrying a preformed container end member into laterally spaced position adjacent said diemechanism, a horizontally reciprocable transfer device for laterally shifting a said formed closure element from said die mechanism into a position of elevated registry spaced above the container end member in said turret, and

assembly devices vertically movable between the,

' level of the transfer devices and the level of the 'rret for moving the closure element into assem- :d position in engagement withthe container end member. v

12. In a machine for making fiber container parts, the combination of a mechanism for forming closure elements from a strip of fiber stock, each of said closure elements including a drawn plug section, a turret located adjacent said fenning mechanism and having a plurality of spaced pockets adjacent its outer edge respectively for advancing container end members therein, actuating devices for rotating said turret in a step-bystep manner through a plurality of working stations in the machine, means at one of said stations for a introducing preformed container end members individually into said turret pockets, each of said container end members having a preformed aperture disposed therein, devices at another of said stations for assembling a formed closure element with an end member in a turret pocket, said assembling devices including means for engaging and projecting the drawn plug section of a said closure element into the said preformed aperture of a said container end member,

instrumentalities at still another of said stations for securing the assembled container parts together to provide 'a unitary container structure, and means for locking saidtdrret against move-- ment during a working operation at said stations. JOHN'M. HOIHERSAIL.

JOHN H. MURCH. 

